D1 M: Aldrich Beauregard

Age: 18

. . .

Aldrich started at the clock in the headteacher's office—24 hours till volunteering. He ran his fingers through his hair, 24 hours till everything he trained for.

24 hours till he became a hero, till he saved a worker's life, or maybe an artisan. Nevertheless, they would not be a fighter. 24 hours till he could give back to the people who raised him, to the district that nurtured him. The district that looked at him and saw him as a fighter for the hero he was.

24 hours before the reaping, Aldrich finally felt peace. He was waiting for Cherish to finish her meeting with the headteacher. Aldrich did not always understand Cherish, but he knew for a fact that she saw the Hunger Games as a duty she was proud to fulfill, like him.

The mentors and teachers were much more stressed than he remembered from the previous games, but he understands how important it was for a good showing, considering the embarrassment of the second quarter quell.

He was instructed to aim his approach to get partnered with Cherish, but districts 2 and 4 were acceptable. No matter the cost, he would do everything possible not to partner with District 12.

He did not quite understand that considering 12 won last year, and therefore would be popular and bring in sponsors, but his mentor knows best.

After Cherish finished her meeting, they would return to their residential dorms before having a final meal with the whole residential program staff and kids. The Last Supper was supposed to bring them good luck and remind them what they were fighting for.

He was unsure why they needed the reminder, but it pleased the others, so he would not complain. Before he could try and puzzle out that train of thought, the door to the office opened, and Cherish stepped out.

Aldrich always found he envied Cherish's hair. The ebony hair was breathtakingly glossy; he was convinced it must be incredibly soft to the touch.

Cherish flicked her eyes over him before sighing, "Aldrich, let's get this show on the road. They will want us back for the last supper soon."

He nodded and slowly followed Cherish out of the Academy, flicking his eyes over the stone tiles, the rooms filled with weapons and equipment. Silently taking everything in.

For once, Cherish didn't seem annoyed with his silence, nor did she try to fill it with conversation.

That was a change from her regular routine, but Gloss, his mentor, said in their last meeting that the Hunger Games will change people. Perhaps it was just starting to change Cherish already.

He found himself strangely grateful for the Hunger Games then; he truly did prefer spending time with Cherish when she was quiet.

Before he knew it, they were in front of the dorms, and as he was about to start walking in to get changed for dinner, Cherish grabbed his arm, halting him.

He turned and blinked at Cherish, and Cherish let out a long-suffering sigh.

"Token, what have you picked for your token?"

He felt a blush heat his face. He had not actually picked a token yet. Nothing he owned felt right, so in reality, he wasn't going to bring one.

Something must have shown on his face because Cherish started muttering before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a white leather braided bracelet.

"It is like your hair when you braid it. Wear it in the arena." Before he could say anything, Cherish strode into the building, leaving him to stare at the bracelet in shock.

He haltingly rubbed it between his fingers; it was soft and almost the same feeling as when he played with his braided hair.

Slowly, a warm feeling filled his chest; yes, this was acceptable. This would be his token.

Aldrich walked into the dorms with a small smile playing on his lips.

. . .

Aldrich woke up at 6:00 am on the dot. It was time for the reaping. The last dinner was a simple chicken soup and bread. Then, when the games were over, and he returned, there would be a huge feast.

It was one of the best dinners he ever had in the dorms. He didn't have to make a conversation, and for once, the staff stopped everyone from disturbing him.

It was fine, though, as Cherish talked enough for the both of them, answering all the questions that the little ones, the twelve-year-olds who were new to the residential programs, had. Supper the previous night was their last meal in the residence and the new recruits' first meal.

Aldrich got up from his bed and looked around his room. When he was first recruited, there were twenty boys his age, and now it was just him.

He walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out his reaping clothes. The light grey button-up shirt and black dress pants were simple, and he liked them.

Gloss agreed this was his best outfit to wear as well. Something about how it lets my features speak for themselves.

It was muted as he walked out of his room and through the dorm halls. Everyone was quiet on the reaping day; he found it quite peaceful.

He ignored breakfast in the mess hall; Cherish and he would eat on the train. Finally, he started the walk to the city centre.

Aldrich found himself one of the first ones there. He was glad he went early as the general population was just starting to prepare, and there were fewer stares in the morning.

The one thing that he did not like since he joined residential was the stares he got from everyone when he left Academy territory.

As the sun started rising, people started flowing into the assigned spots. He tried to spot Cherish but had no luck. So he contented himself by fiddling with the bracelet that she gave him.

Finally, as the clock struck 8:00 am, the Victors strode onto the stage, sitting in their benches, only Gloss and Glimmer taking chairs as they were this year's mentors.

Then, District One's escort stepped on stage. This year, she was wearing a blood-red pantsuit and hair the same colour. Her hair was in a slick back bun, and she seemed to have molten gold painting her eyelids.

More time than he realized must have passed because he was startled out of his train of thought by the screech of the microphone and the sound of the reaping video cutting off.

He cursed himself, he hadn't lost time like that in years, he had to calm down and stay in the moment. He focused back on the district one escort Zinthia Lomouth.

"This year is a very special year, as we all know, so for that reason, I decided to start with the boys!"

Aldrich found himself tense when she pulled a slip of paper out of the boy's reaping boll; he hoped it wasn't his name. He was going to volunteer, but he was told it was bad luck to be reaped when you were planning on volunteering.

"Shine Smith," there was a moment from the fifteen-year-old section.

Aldrich, for once, did not dread speaking as he yelled in a clear voice, "I volunteer as tribute."

A path cleared as soon as he spoke, and a sea of children parted to let him get to the stage. Peace and pride filled his chest as he walked onto the stage.

"And what is this confident volunteer's name?"

"Aldrich Beauregard "

Zinthia Lomouth shrieked in delight, and all he could think was this was going to be a long train ride.